Cloud-based scanning systems and remote image processing methods

ABSTRACT

A cloud-based document scanning system includes a cloud computing platform having a cloud computing application and a cloud storage system. The system further includes a scanning device communicatively coupled over a network to the cloud computing platform, the scanning device configured to: accept a set of documents; generate a set of digital image files corresponding to the set of documents; store the set of digital image files; and upload the set of digital image files directly to the cloud storage system. Upon receiving a request from the scanning device, the cloud computing application is configured to: access the set of digital image files; apply image processing operations to the set of digital image files in accordance with a plurality of image processing parameters, generate a portable document format document based on the processed image files, and send the portable document format document to a user-selected destination.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, generally, to document scanningtechnology and, more particularly, to distributed cloud-based imageprocessing and document management systems.

BACKGROUND

Technological improvements in the fields of cloud storage and mobilecomputing systems—together with a renewed emphasis on reducing paperconsumption—have driven an increased interest in paperless systems byboth consumers and businesses. Such paperless paradigms, which generallyinvolve generating and storing digital versions of physical documents,provide numerous advantages, such as ubiquitous access to information,improved security (through strong encryption), automated data capture,reduced overhead, and document consolidation.

While paperless systems are advantageous in many respects, a number ofsignificant challenges remain. For example, traditional scanningsystems, such as those incorporated into conventional copy machines,tend to be bulky, expensive, and difficult to deploy. Most, in fact,require dedicated computer for set-up and operation. Furthermore, suchsystems do not provide a streamlined work-flow, and generally providevery few delivery options for scanned documents (i.e., typically onlye-mail or a designated network folder). In addition, traditionalscanning systems lack significant document editing functionality at thescanner interface.

Systems and methods are therefore needed that overcome these and otherlimitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems andmethods for, inter alia: i) cloud-based document management and storagewherein at least a portion of the image processing is performed remotelyfrom the scanning device, e.g., via a cloud computing platform; ii) adocument scanner incorporating a user interface that allows the user tospecify a wide range of page editing functions on the scanner deviceitself; iii) a document scanning device configured to automaticallydetermine a simplex/duplex attribute of each page of a scanned documentand generate a portable document format based thereon; iv) a documentscanning device configured to initially request, from a cloudapplication programming interface (API), a set of uniform resourcelocators (URLs) and subsequently directly upload a set of correspondingdigital image files to those URLs without accessing the cloud API; v) adocument scanning system in which thumbnail images are generatedautomatically by serverless functions provided within a cloud computingplatform upon upload of the corresponding digital image files; vi) adocument scanning system in which optical character recognition isperformed automatically by a cloud computing platform upon upload of thecorresponding digital image files; vii) a distributed system forscanning, processing, storing, and delivering documents including ascanner and a remote application programming interface (API) configuredto communicate with a cloud computing platform; viii) a scannerconfigured to operate a main scanner application that manages userinteraction, and a middleware layer including a plurality of plug-insthat receive prompts from the main scanner application and communicatewith the scanning hardware; and ix) an API configured to coordinateinteraction between a scanner and a cloud-based computing platform forstoring, processing, retrieving, and transmitting a finished PDFdocument to a user selected destination.

Various other embodiments, aspects, and features are described ingreater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram of an exemplary system forscanning, processing, storing, retrieving, and delivering documents inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary methods for operating thesystem of FIG. 1 by a user in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary interaction between ascanner API and a remote computing platform in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4B are flowcharts illustrating exemplary interaction among ascanner application and remote processing and storage components inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate exemplary user interface displays in accordancewith various embodiments; and

FIGS. 8A-8B depict a signal flow diagram illustrating exemplary methodsfor operating the system of FIG. 1 in accordance with variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to improved, easy-to-use, cloud-basedsystems and methods for scanning, securely storing, managing, andretrieving digital documents. In accordance with various embodiments, atleast a portion of the image processing is performed by a cloud-basedapplication, rather than at the scanning device itself. The resultingelectronic images can, in a streamlined fashion, be delivered to avariety of destinations, such as e-mail addresses, fax numbers, a localUSB drive, or a cloud service (e.g., Raven Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox,Box, Evernote, or the like). In that regard, the following detaileddescription is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limitthe inventions or the application and uses of the inventions describedherein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theorypresented in the preceding background or the following detaileddescription.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cloud-based document scanning and managementsystem (or simply “scanning system”) 100 in accordance with variousembodiments will now be described. As a preliminary matter, it will beunderstood that system 100 may incorporate a number of conventionalnetwork components, such as switches, routers, hubs, bridges, accesspoints, gateways and the like. In the interest of clarity, suchconventional components have not been illustrated in FIG. 1.

In general, system 100 includes a document scanning device (“scanningdevice” or simply “scanner”) 110 communicatively coupled over a network150 (e.g., the Internet) with a cloud computing platform 140 and one ormore third-party systems 147 (representing, for example, third-partyservers or APIs). Various network destinations 160 representingpotential endpoints for transmitting the final digitized documents arecommunicatively coupled to cloud computing platform 140. For example,destination 161 may correspond to an e-mail server, destination 162 maycorrespond to the Raven Cloud, destination 163 may correspond toDropbox, destination 164 may correspond to Google Cloud Drive, and soon.

Scanner 110 generally includes a scanner body 114 enclosing acombination of hardware, firmware, and software configured to receiveone or more documents 120 (e.g., printed pages, receipts, tickets,photos, or any other substantially flat object) and produce acorresponding digitized representation, which may take a variety offorms as described in further detail below. In one embodiment, scanner110 incorporates an automatic document feeder (ADF) that feedsindividual pages to a one or two-sided image sensor (e.g., a contactimage sensor (CIS)) having an LED light source and a suitable opticalresolution (e.g., about 600 dpi).

Scanner 110 includes a USB interface 116 or the like configured toaccept a standard flash memory drive for storing digitized documents(i.e., as one selectable destination). Scanner 110 also includes variousindicators and user interface components, such as a touch screen 112 andone or more buttons or other user-actuatable components 113. In oneembodiment, touch screen 112 is a 7-inch color LCD, and buttons 113include a “screen saver” button configured to selectably place touchscreen 112 in a screen saver mode whereupon it will not accept inputfrom the user. While not illustrated in FIG. 1, scanner 110 may alsoinclude a power cable input and an Ethernet (RJ-45) jack for wiredconnection to network 150 (as an alternative to WiFi, as describedbelow).

With reference to the inset shown in FIG. 1, scanner 110 includes,typically within housing 114, a processing module 170 comprising variouselectronic components and software configured to accomplish thefunctions described herein. Thus, for example, processing module 170includes a user interface module 171 (including, for example, touchscreen 112), a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor 173, oneor more memory components 172, one or more storage components 174 (e.g.,a hard drive, flash memory, or the like), a power supply 176, andnetwork interfaces 175 for connecting to network 150. Network interfaces175 may include, for example, an Ethernet interface as well as a Wi-Fiinterface (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 b/g/n compliant interface). While notillustrated in FIG. 1, processing module 170 will typically also includesuitable interfaces to the hardware components provided within scanner110, such as the document feeder, the image sensor, rechargeable batterypack, and the like.

Various software components are stored (e.g., at 172 and 174) forexecution by processor 173. For example, in one embodiment scanner 110comprises two primary software modules: a main scanner application thatmanages user interaction, and a middleware layer that operates behindthe scenes between the main scanner application and the scannerhardware. The middleware layer may include one or more plug-ins thatcommunicate with the scanning hardware (e.g., document feeder, scanneroptics, etc.). For example, when a user initiates a scan (via touchscreen 112), the scanner app instructs a plug-in to cause the scanninghardware to initiate a scan.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, cloud computing platform 140generally includes a Raven API 141, a job processor 142, cloud storage145 (for storing various data 181) and a serverless functions module143.

Cloud functions module 143 includes “serverless” code segments thatrespond to events (captured by cloud computing platform) withoutrequiring a managed runtime environment. In an illustrated embodiment,serverless functions 143 are implemented using Google Cloud Functions.The invention is not so limited, however. Other event-driven, serverlessframeworks may be used, such as AWS Lambda or the like. Furthermore, theillustrated embodiments are not limited to event-driven software.Traditional runtime applications may also be used. Accordingly, thephrases “cloud functions” and “serverless functions” are used withoutloss of generality.

In contrast to serverless functions 143, job processor 142 comprisesserver-based software components that perform, in the background, muchof the computationally complex tasks described herein, such asassembling and generating the finished PDF document. In one embodiment,for example, job processor 142 is implemented using Google ComputeEngine. In one embodiment, job processor 142 is substantially aserver-based duplicate of Raven API 141, configured to providesubstantially the same functionality, as needed in appropriate contexts.

Raven API 141 comprises a set of software components, specifications,and communication protocols configured to respond to a defined set ofrequests. In one embodiment, Raven API 141 is implemented using arepresentational state transfer (REST) architecture implemented usingthe Google Cloud API framework. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, scanner 110 (including its main scanner application andmiddleware layer) will generally communicate directly with Raven API141, while serverless functions module 143 will generally react toevents that occur on platform 140 and/or within cloud storage 145.

Cloud storage 145 may be implemented as a datastore configured to storedata generated by various components of system 100, including, forexample, raw image data, optical character recognition (OCR) data, andthumbnail images. In one embodiment, cloud storage 145 is implementedusing Google Cloud Storage. Raven API 141 may store certain data (e.g.,page models 182 and OCR data) within its own database 148 (e.g., aMongoDB database), or may use cloud storage 145 (and/or other ancillarydata structures) for this purpose. As described in further detail below,page models 182 include metadata describing the content of the final PDFdocument to be produced, such as the set of URLs used to store imageswithin cloud storage 145, the document name, the location of thumbnails,extracted text, and/or parameters specifying any edits (zoom, crop,rotate, etc.) made by the user.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 by which a user mayinteract with scanner 110 in accordance with various embodiments, andwill be described in conjunction with the block diagram of FIG. 1.First, at 201, the scanner 110 is suitably connected to network 150 via,for example, network interfaces 175 (i.e., via Ethernet or Wi-Fi). Asmentioned above, this connection may take place via one or moreintermediate network components, such as modems, gateways, accesspoints, switches, and the like.

Next, at 202, the user is asked to sign in or, if the user does not yethave an account, sign up for the system by entering the appropriatecredentials (e.g., user name and password). These user credentials mayalso correspond to a particular cloud storage provider, such as theRaven Cloud Storage system. The user may also be provided with a freetrial account at this time.

Next, the user selects the desired scan settings (203), and selects thedestination (204) to which the finished document is to be sent. In oneembodiment, for example, the user is prompted (via touch screen 112) toselect: (1) number of sides (1-sided/2-sided), (2) color (full color,black and white, or greyscale), (3) quality (200 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi),and (4) destination (e-mail, Raven Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, USB,etc.). With momentary reference to FIG. 5, one particularly intuitiveuser interface configuration that may be employed for this selectionincludes a display 500 including four large buttons: 501 (for “sides”),502 (for “color”), 503 (for “quality”), and 504 (for “destination”, or“action”). Display 500 further includes a “scan” button 505 that can beused to initiate the scanning process, corresponding to step 205 in FIG.2.

When the user initiates a scan (205), the scanner app requests, forexample using a middleware plug-in prompted by the scanner app, that thescanner hardware actually perform the page scanning operation andconduct initial processing of the resulting image (206). The plug-inthen informs the scanner that the scanned pages are stored locally in adesignated folder. Subsequently, at 207, thumbnail images of the scannedpage or pages are generated by scanner 110 for display on touch screen112.

Continuing with step 208, the user is provided the opportunity to scanadditional pages. If the user chooses to do so, then processing loopsback to step 205; if not, then processing continues at step 209, whereinthe user is presented with a user interface that allows the user toremove pages, reorder pages, edit pages, and/or combine pages within asingle document. The user may also rotate, crop, or pan individualpages.

For example, referring briefly to FIG. 6, the user may be presented witha series of thumbnail images along with touch screen user interface 600components that allow the user to combine, remove, and reorderindividual pages. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, the user may beprovided with user interface components (700) for rotating, cropping,and zooming in on a page alongside a relatively large thumbnail of thepage being modified.

Referring again to FIG. 2, when the desired page operations have beencompleted, the user is provided the opportunity to name the document(210) and to change the destination (211). Subsequently, the document istransmitted (212) to the desired destination as described in furtherdetail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a scanner application and associated plug-in flow 300in accordance with one embodiment. In this illustration, as indicated bythe key at the lower right, the shading used in each block is related tothe entity that performs or is the focus of that step—i.e., the RavenAPI 141, serverless function module 143, and job processor 142.

At 301, Raven API 141 receives a request from scanner 110 to upload apage or group of pages (identified by filename) to cloud storage 145 andrequests an upload URL (302). Raven API 141 then creates and returns,for each scanned page, a page model (including page ID) along with anupload URL to the scanner in response to the upload request (303). Thepage model contains the metadata stored in the cloud storage pertainingto a scanned file (e.g., filename, file type, time stamp, and a pointeror reference to the associated URL). Note that the scanner 110 typicallyonly communicates with Raven API 141, whereas the API communicates withthe various cloud based processing and storage modules as needed.Significantly, however, once Raven API 141 passes the URLs to scanner110, the scanner is able to upload the image files directly to cloudstorage 145 (bypassing Raven API 141).

Having received the upload URL, the scanner 110 then begins uploadingrespective images to the API (304), which directs them to theappropriate location (URL) in cloud storage 145. Serverless function 143is notified that upload has completed, and Raven API 141 is alsonotified (305).

While not illustrated in FIG. 3, the user is then provided anopportunity to combine and edit the individual pages, as described abovein FIG. 2. For each selected editing function performed by the user, thescanner sends the editing instructions and associated image coordinatesto the API, whereupon the API retrieves the image data from Google Cloudstorage and processes the requested changes (e.g., cropping). The APIthen stores the processed image at a new assigned location (URL) in thecloud, and also returns the revised images to the scanner to bedisplayed as edited thumbnails. If additional pages are added to thedata set, the user is given the opportunity to edit the new pages. Allversions of all images are persisted in respective uniquely assignedURLs. This allows the user to quickly “undo” an edit or instantly goback and view a previous version of any image.

Subsequently, at 306, serverless function module 143 processes eachimage and creates a corresponding thumbnail image. In a paralleloperation (307), the API calls a separate module (e.g., an OCR module147 in FIG. 1) to perform optical character recognition on the uploadedimages. The extracted text data may be stored, for example, inaccordance with the OCR data representation standard. Next, at 308, theupdated page data is sent to scanner 110 via, for example, a websocketinterface. The Raven API then receives a request from the scanner toupdate the thumbnails (309), and the new document with an array of pagesare received from scanner 110 (310).

It should be noted that Raven API 141 outsources creation of thethumbnails by invoking serverless functions 143. Upon creating eachthumbnail, serverless functions 143 writes it directly into cloudstorage 145 and provides the location information to Raven API 141,which then updates the page model to include a path to the thumbnail. Inthis regard, the scanner 110 may be configured to communicate with RavenAPI 141 through a socket implementation; if the scanner does not receivea thumbnail URL (or other expected parameter) in a timely manner, thescanner may query Raven API 141 directly. Stated another way, thedefault paradigm is to push messages; the failsafe backup paradigm is topull them.

The finished PDF is then created by job processor 142 (at 311) from theOCR data and the previously processed images and stored in cloud storage145. That is, once the final data set is complete, the user instructsthe scanner 110 and the scanner instructs the Raven API 141 to send thedata set to the selected destination. In response, the API retrieves thethen current version of each page, and invokes the application (withincloud platform 140) to perform the computationally intensive function ofassembling them into a single PDF file.

The transient image data (e.g., the various edited versions) stillstored in cloud storage 145 may then be deleted to conserve overhead.Once the final PDF document is created for a finished data set, thepreviously extracted OCR text (stored, for example, within database 148)is embedded into (or layered onto) the PDF file, for example byassociating a metadata file containing the text with the PDF file. As aresult, users can effectively “search” the PDF document by searching thetext inside the metadata file.

Depending upon the destination (query at 312), the system either storesthe PDF in a cloud storage bucket for Raven Cloud (313) and sends anHTTPS response to scanner 110 (315), or sends to the PDF to theappropriate cloud service API (314) and sends a websocket response toscanner 110 (316).

It will be appreciated that serverless function module 143 communicateswith Raven API 141 in multiple instances. For example, when each imageis initially uploaded, serverless function module 143 notifies the RavenAPI 141, automatically creates a thumbnail, and provides the thumbnailURL to the Raven API 141. Also in response to an image upload, the RavenAPI 141 instructs the OCR module 147 (e.g., Google Cloud Vision or athird party processor) to commence OCR processing on the uploaded image.OCR module 147 retrieves the image from cloud storage 145, extracts thetextual elements from the image, and returns the text to the API whichupdates the page model accordingly. If the user further edits thedocument or individual pages, the OCR function 147 is again performedfor each revised image as necessary.

FIGS. 4A and 4B together provide a flowchart that includes and furtherelaborates on the procedures described in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring firstto FIG. 4A, method 400, as described in general above, begins with theuser-selected scans being displayed (401). When the user initiates ascan (402), the scan setting values are sent to a scanner plug-in (403),which sends an appropriate request to the scanner module (404), whichthen in turn responds with paths to the locally stored images (405). Aset of local thumbnail images are then displayed to the user based onthe scanned pages (406).

The scanner 110 creates an object (e.g., allocates space) for each pageand requests a page ID and upload URL for each object from Raven API 141(407). Upon receiving the page IDs and upload URLs from scanner RavenAPI 141 (408), the full-scale page images are uploaded to cloud storageand directed to the assigned URLs (409).

When scanner 110 receives a socket response from Raven API 141indicating that upload of the image files is complete (410), scanner 110downloads (from specified URLs) the improved thumbnails generated byserverless functions 143 and uses them in place of the originalthumbnails (411).

If the destination specified by the user corresponds to the USB drive(or similar flash memory component) (412), the scanner 110 simplyrequests that the cloud computing platform create the finished PDFdocument and then copies that file directly to the USB drive (413).

If the user indicates (e.g., through user interface 112) that she wishesto add pages (at 414), processing loops back to step 403. If no pagesneed to be added, processing continues with conditional 415 (FIG. 4B),which queries whether the user has completed page edits.

If the user requests edits (415), the edit commands are received by userinterface 112 and performed (and the Raven API 141 is notified asappropriate) as shown in steps 422-427. That is, the user may removepages (422), edit a page (423) (crop/rotate/zoom), reorder the pages(425), name or rename the document (426), and/or combine/separate thedocument (427). In the event that pages are cropped, rotated, or zoomed,the appropriate coordinates and/or edit instructions (e.g., percentageof reduction) are transmitted to Raven API 141 so that the changes canbe implemented and subsequently reflected in the page model 182 (424),and processing loops back to step 410. When the document is named and/orits pages are combined or separated, the corresponding variables arestored for transmittal to Raven API 141.

If at step 415 it was determined that the user is done with page edits,the system initiates the sending of the final document to theappropriate cloud service API (419), and subsequently receives acorresponding web socket response from the API (421).

FIGS. 8A and 8B together present a signal diagram illustrating anexemplary method for operating the system of FIG. 1 in accordance withvarious embodiments. More particularly, this diagram contemplatesinteraction between eight entities: the scanner's user interface 112,the scanner 110, the Raven API 141, the job processor 142, theserverless functions module 143, cloud storage 145, OCR module 147, andthe final destination 160.

Processing begins at 801, in which the user (via user interface 112)specifies the desired scan settings, and scanner 110 is sent a requestto initiate a scan (802). Scanner 110 generates a set of imagescorresponding to the scanned document (803) and then displays theinitial thumbnails based on those images via user interface 112 (804).

Next, scanner 110 requests that Raven API 141 create the appropriatepage models (805), which are then created and stored by Raven API 141(806). Scanner 110 also requests and receives specific storage URLs fromRaven API 141 corresponding to the scanned images (807). Scanner thendirectly uploads the images to cloud storage 145 based on those URLs(808). Once upload is complete, an associated event (809) is received byserverless functions 143, which then notifies Raven API 141 of thecompleted upload (810), which in turn notifies scanner 110 (811).

Serverless functions module 143 generates and stores a set of thumbnailsin cloud storage 145 (812), and job processor 142 requests and receivesOCR data from OCR module (e.g., Google Cloud Vision) 147 (813). The OCRdata may be stored in a variety of locations, but in one embodiment isstored within the pages model itself by Raven API 141.

Scanner 110 then downloads the created thumbnails from cloud storage 145via Raven API 141 using the communication path shown (814). The updatedthumbnails are then displayed via user interface 112 (replacing theinitially displayed set of thumbnails) (815).

Next, the user may be allowed to specify page edits, as detailed above.If the user selects any such page edits, then scanner 816 is notified,which in turn sends the appropriate set of page edit parameters to RavenAPI 141 (817), which modifies the associated page models (818) andperform the required image processing to accomplish the page editsrequested by the user (819).

The processed images are then stored in cloud storage 145 (820), whichthen notifies scanner 110 that upload has completed via serverlessfunction module 143 and Raven API 141 (signal flow 821, 822, and 823).

Serverless function module 143 then automatically creates new thumbnailsfor each of the revised pages (824). Those thumbnails are thendownloaded by scanner 110 via Raven API 141 (825) and displayed on userinterface 112 (826).

Referring now to FIG. 8B, editing continues as necessary until no moreedits are required, and the user indicates, via user interface 112, thatthe document is ready to be completed and sent to the destination (827).A request is sent to scanner 110 (828), which then notifies Raven API141 (829), which in turn notifies job processor 142 (830).

Job processor 142 requests and receives page models and OCR data fromRaven API 141 (831), then requests and receives final page images fromcloud storage 145 (832). This information is then used by job processor142 to generate a final, searchable PDF file (833). Job processor 142then sends the finished PDF file to destination 160 (834) and notifiesscanner 110 through Raven API 141 (835 and 836), using a method thatdepends upon the nature of final destination 160, as described ingreater detail above.

In summary, what has been described are improved, easy-to-use,cloud-based systems and methods for scanning, securely storing,managing, and retrieving digital documents.

In accordance with one embodiment, the document scanning systemcomprises: a cloud computing platform including a cloud computingapplication and a cloud storage system; a scanning devicecommunicatively coupled over a network to the cloud computing platform,the scanning device configured to: accept a set of documents; generate aset of digital image files corresponding to the set of documents; storethe set of digital image files; and upload the set of digital imagefiles directly to the cloud storage system. Upon receiving a requestfrom the scanning device, the cloud computing application is configuredto: access the set of digital image files; apply image processingoperations to the set of digital image files in accordance with aplurality of image processing parameters; generate a portable documentformat document based on the processed image files; and send theportable document format document to a user-selected destination.

In accordance with another embodiment, a document scanning systemincludes: a cloud computing platform including a cloud applicationprogramming interface (API) and a cloud storage system; a scanningdevice communicatively coupled over a network to the cloud computingplatform, the scanning device configured to: accept a set of documents;generate a set of digital image files corresponding to the set ofdocuments; store the set of digital image files; request, from the cloudAPI, a set of uniform resource locators (URLs) corresponding to the setof digital image files; receive a set of specified URLs from the cloudAPI; and upload the set of digital image files directly to the cloudstorage system based on the set of specified URLs.

In accordance with another embodiment, a document scanning systemcomprises: a cloud computing platform including a cloud applicationprogramming interface (API) and a cloud storage system; a scanningdevice communicatively coupled over a network to the cloud computingplatform, the scanning device configured to: accept a set of documents,generate a set of digital image files corresponding to the set ofdocuments, store the set of digital image files; upload the set ofdigital image files directly to the cloud storage system; receive, via auser interface module integrated into the scanning device, a documentediting command from a user, wherein the document editing command isselected by the user from a list of commands including: page crop, pagerotation, page zoom, remove pages, combine pages, and reorder pages; andsend, to the cloud API, a request to edit the digital image files inaccordance with the document editing command.

In accordance with another embodiment, a document scanning systemcomprises: a cloud computing platform, a scanning device communicativelycoupled over a network to the cloud computing platform, the scanningdevice configured to: accept a set of documents, generate a set ofdigital image files corresponding to the set of documents, store the setof digital image files, and upload the set of digital image filesdirectly to the cloud storage system. Upon completion of the upload ofthe set of digital image files, the cloud computing platformautomatically generates a thumbnail preview of each of the digital imagefiles and sends the thumbnail previews to the scanning device. Thedocument scanning system may be further configured to, upon completionof the upload of the set of digital image files, generate a request toperform optical character recognition on each of the digital imagefiles.

A document scanning device in accordance with another embodimentincludes: a processing module; an image sensor module communicativelycoupled to the processing module, and an automated document feedercommunicatively coupled to the processing module. The image sensormodule is configured to: accept a set of documents via the automateddocument feeder; determine, for each document within the set ofdocuments: a duplex/simplex attribute for each document, generate a setof digital image files corresponding to the set of documents and theduplex/simplex determinations, store the set of digital image files, andupload the set of digital image files directly to a cloud storage systemcommunicatively coupled to the processing module over a network.

Scanner Device with Remote Image Processing

A document scanner includes: a scanner housing; an automatic documentfeeder (ADF) configured to scan printed pages; a touch screen configuredto: i) receive user input including a scan request and an edit requestand ii) display respective thumbnail representations of a scanned pageand an edited version of the scanned page; a network interface; and aprocessing module disposed within the housing and configured to executea scanner application to thereby control selected functions of the ADF,the network interface, and the touch screen. In response to a scanrequest, the scanner application causes the ADF to create a digitalimage of a printed page and to upload, using the network interface, thedigital image to a remote image processing platform. In response to anedit request, the scanner application transmits an associated editinstruction, using the network interface, to the remote image processingplatform to process the edit instruction.

In an embodiment, upon processing of the edit instruction by the remoteimage processing platform, the scanner receives the edited version ofthe scanned page and displays the corresponding thumbnail image.

In response to the edit request, image processing of the uploadedversion of the printed page is performed by an image processor locatedoutside of the housing.

In an embodiment, the user input further comprises a desired destinationand a send request. In response to a send request, the scannerapplication transmits an associated send instruction, using the networkinterface, to the remote image processing platform to process the sendinstruction; and the remote image processing platform transmits afinished document to the desired destination.

In an embodiment, the desired destination comprises at least one of: alocal universal serial bus (USB) device; an email server; and a cloudstorage location.

In an embodiment, the scanner also includes a rechargeable battery packconfigured to power the scanner in addition to or in lieu of an AC powersource.

In an embodiment, the network interface comprises at least one of awired connection and a wireless connection.

In an embodiment, the processing module is further configured to executea middleware layer including a plurality of plug-ins that communicateinstructions from the scanner application to the ADF, the touch screen,and the network interface.

In an embodiment, after the digital image is uploaded to the remoteimage processing platform, the scanner receives a second thumbnail imagecorresponding to the uploaded image and displays the second thumbnailimage on the touch screen.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises anapplication programming interface (API) and a cloud computing platform;and in response to a scan request, the scanner application sends anupload request to the API.

In response to sending the upload request to the API, the scannerapplication receives a URL and uploads the digital image to the cloudcomputing platform.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image to the cloud computingplatform comprises bypassing the API and uploading the image directly tothe cloud computing platform.

In an embodiment, the cloud computing platform comprises a storagecomponent and a processing component; and uploading the digital imagecomprises uploading the digital image to storage component.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction to the remote imageprocessing platform comprises: transmitting the edit instruction fromthe scanner to the API; and causing the API to coordinate processing ofthe edit instruction.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises uploading thedigital image directly to the storage component.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises instructing theAPI to create a page model corresponding to the digital image andstoring the page model in the storage component.

A scanning device is provided which includes: a user interfaceconfigured to receive an edit request from a user; a network interface,and a processor configured to execute a scanner application. In responseto the edit request, the processor transmits an edit instruction, usingthe network interface, to a remote image processing platform to processthe edit instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises anapplication programming interface (API) and a computing platform; andtransmitting the edit instruction comprises transmitting the editinstruction from the processor to the API.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction further comprisesinvoking, by the API, an image processing executable module.

In an embodiment, after the edit instruction is processed, the scannerreceives a thumbnail from the remote image processing platformcorresponding to an edited image.

Scanner Methods for Remote Image Processing

An image processing method performed by a document scanner includes:receiving a scan request; in response to the scan request, creating adigital image of a printed page, uploading the digital image to a remoteimage processing platform, receiving a request to edit the digitalimage, and in response to the edit request, transmitting an associatededit instruction to the remote image processing platform to process theedit instruction.

In an embodiment, at least one of the scan and edit requests arereceived from a user.

In an embodiment, at least one of the scan and edit requests arereceived by a user interface.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a touch panel.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: afteruploading the digital image, receiving a first thumbnail representativeof the digital image from the remote image processing platform, andafter transmitting the edit instruction, receiving a second thumbnailrepresentative of the edited digital image from the remote imageprocessing platform.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: afterreceiving the first thumbnail, displaying the first thumbnail on adisplay screen, and after receiving the second thumbnail, replacing thefirst thumbnail with the second thumbnail on the display screen.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises: sending anupload request from the scanner to the remote image processing platform,receiving, from the remote image processing platform, a URL, andtransmitting the digital image and the URL from the scanner to theremote image processing platform.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises an APIand a cloud computing platform; receiving the URL comprises receivingthe URL from the API; and transmitting the digital image comprisestransmitting the digital image directly from the scanner to the remoteimage processing platform.

In an embodiment, the cloud computing platform comprises a computingcomponent and a cloud storage component; and transmitting the digitalimage comprises transmitting the digital image to the URL within thecloud storage component.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction comprisestransmitting the edit instruction to the API.

In an embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a send request;and in response to the send request, instructing the remote imageprocessing platform to transmit a PDF embodying a version of the digitalimage to a predetermined destination.

In an embodiment, the destination comprises one of a USB drive, an emailaddress, and a cloud storage address.

API “Structure” Embodiments

An application programming interface (API) is configured to coordinateinteraction between a scanner and a cloud computing platform, where thecloud computing platform is disposed remotely from the scanner. The APIincludes a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor:receive, in response to an upload request from the scanner, a URL fromthe cloud computing platform and transmit the URL to the scanner; and inresponse to an edit request from the scanner, transmit an editinginstruction to the cloud computing platform and thereafter transmit anedited image to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the API is further configured to: in response to asend request from the scanner, instruct the cloud computing platform totransmit a PDF of a scanned image to a user selected destination.

In an embodiment, the destination comprises at least one of a USB drive,an email server, and a cloud storage location.

In an embodiment, the editing instruction invokes an image processingroutine, wherein the routine is not executed by the scanner.

API Methods

A scanning protocol is implemented by an API, where the API isassociated with a scanner and a remote computing platform. The protocolincludes the steps of: receiving a document upload request from thescanner; in response to receiving the upload request, requesting andreceiving a first URL from the cloud computing platform; andtransmitting the first URL to the scanner.

The scanning protocol further includes transmitting a first thumbnail ofan uploaded image to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the scanning protocol further includes receiving anedit instruction and the first URL from the scanner and, in response toreceiving the edit instruction: retrieving the uploaded image from thefirst URL, coordinating the execution of the edit instruction on theuploaded image to yield an edited image, requesting a second URL fromthe cloud computing platform for the edited image, and transmitting thesecond URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the scanning protocol further includes coordinatingthe creation of a second thumbnail for the edited image; andtransmitting the second thumbnail to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the edit instruction is executed remotely from thescanner.

Scanning Systems with Cloud Processing

A document scanning system includes a cloud computing platform includinga cloud computing application and a cloud storage system, and a scanningdevice communicatively coupled over a network to the cloud computingplatform. The scanning device is configured to: accept a set ofdocuments, generate a set of digital image files corresponding to theset of documents, store the set of digital image files, and upload theset of digital image files directly to the cloud storage system. Uponreceiving an upload request from the scanning device, the cloudcomputing application is configured to: receive the set of digital imagefiles from the scanning device, apply image processing operations to theset of digital image files, generate a portable document format documentbased on the processed image files, and send the portable documentformat document to a user-selected destination.

In an embodiment, the image processing operations are performed inaccordance with a plurality of user selected image processingparameters.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to upload the set ofdigital image files to specific URLs within the cloud storage systempreviously received by the scanner from the API.

In an embodiment, the image processing operations are applied to the setof digital image files remote from the scanner.

Scanners and URL Requests

A document scanner is configured to communicate over a network with acloud computing platform including a cloud application programminginterface (API) and a cloud storage system. The scanner is configuredto: accept a set of documents, generate a set of digital image filescorresponding to the set of documents, store the set of digital imagefiles, request, from the cloud API, a set of uniform resource locators(URLs) corresponding to the set of digital image files; receive a set ofspecified URLs from the cloud API, and upload the set of digital imagefiles directly to the cloud storage system based on the set of specifiedURLs.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: receive an editcommand from a user for a first one of the digital image files, transmitindicia of the edit command to the cloud API, and thereafter receive,from the API, a version of the first digital image files edited inaccordance with the edit command.

Scanning Systems with Edit Requests Input at the Scanner

A document scanning system includes: a cloud computing platformincluding a cloud application programming interface (API) and a cloudstorage system; and a scanning device communicatively coupled over anetwork to the cloud computing platform. The scanning device isconfigured to: accept a set of documents; generate a set of digitalimage files corresponding to the set of documents; store the set ofdigital image files; upload the set of digital image files directly tothe cloud storage system; receive, via a user interface moduleintegrated into the scanning device, a document editing command from auser, wherein the document editing command is selected by the user froma list of commands including: page crop, page rotation, page zoom,remove pages, combine pages, and reorder pages; and send, to the cloudAPI, a request to edit the digital image files in accordance with thedocument editing command.

Scanner System with Remote Thumbnail/OCR Generation

A document scanning system includes a cloud computing platform and ascanning device communicatively coupled over a network to the cloudcomputing platform. The scanning device is configured to: accept a setof document, generate a set of digital image files corresponding to theset of documents, store the set of digital image files, and upload theset of digital image files directly to the cloud storage system. Uponcompletion of the upload of the set of digital image files, the cloudcomputing platform automatically generates a thumbnail preview of eachof the digital image files and sends the thumbnail previews to thescanning device.

In an embodiment, the cloud computing platform is further configured to,upon completion of the upload of the set of digital image files;generate a request to perform optical character recognition on each ofthe digital image files.

Scanners with Automatic Simplex/Duplex Detection

A document scanning device includes: a processing module, an imagesensor module communicatively coupled to the processing module, and anautomated document feeder communicatively coupled to the processingmodule. In an embodiment, the image sensor module is configured to:accept a set of documents via the automated document feeder; determine,for each document within the set of documents, a duplex/simplexattribute for each document; generate a set of digital image filescorresponding to the set of documents and the duplex/simplexdeterminations; store the set of digital image files; and upload the setof digital image files directly to a cloud storage systemcommunicatively coupled to the processing module over a network.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are notintended to be limiting in any way, and that scanner 110 and/or scanningsystem 100 may incorporate additional advantageous features.

In accordance with one embodiment, for example, the image sensor modulewithin module 170 is configured to accept a set of documents via theautomated document feeder; determine, for each document within the setof documents, a duplex/simplex attribute for each document (i.e.,whether it is one-sided or two-sided, and which side contains printedmatter), generate a set of digital image files corresponding to the setof documents and the duplex/simplex determinations; store the set ofdigital image files; and upload the set of digital image files directlyto a cloud storage system communicatively coupled to the processingmodule over a network. The scanner may further be configured to detectblank pages and remove such pages prior to rendering the final scanneddocument.

In accordance with one embodiment, user interface 112 allows the user topause and resume a scan in order to, for example, substitute or addpages during the scanning operation itself.

In accordance with one embodiment, the set of URLs corresponding to theindividual pages stored within cloud storage 145 can be provided tothird-party systems for processing, such as an accounting system thatmight need such images for documentation purposes (e.g., Quickbooks orthe like).

In accordance with one embodiment, user interface 112 allows the user toencrypt or otherwise add security features to the final documentgenerated by the system. For example, the user may be allowed to enter apassword which is then used by job processor 142 to generate apassword-protected PDF file.

In accordance with one embodiment, user interface 112 allows the user tocreate and manage custom groups of destinations (e.g., e-mailrecipients) for scanned documents.

In accordance with one embodiment, the final PDF file is rendered inphysical, printed form and shipped to a specified physical addressspecified through user interface 112 itself.

In accordance with one embodiment, processing module 170 of scanner 110includes cellular communication functionality so that, for example, itcan transmit documents to destinations of the type often used inconnection with cellular phones and the like.

In accordance with one embodiment, scanner 110, through networkinterfaces 175, may be entirely or partially controlled remotely by auser—e.g., through a website, mobile application, etc.

In accordance with one embodiment, the text generated by the OCR system147 is “auto-masked” or otherwise automatically redacted prior to finaldocument generation based on a determination of whether such text issensitive in some way. Such redactions might be applied, for example, tosocial security numbers, credit card information, and sensitivehealth-related information.

In accordance with one embodiment, scanner 110 is configured to providea custom watermark that can be selectably applied by the user throughuser interface 112. The final digital document is then rendered withthat custom watermark by job processor 142.

In accordance with one embodiment, in the event that scanner 110 is notconnected to network 150 when a user scans a document, the variousuploading, image processing, downloading, and document generation stepsdescribed herein are suspended (and the images stored locally withinscanner 110) until such time that a connection to network 150 is made.

In accordance with one embodiment, scanning system 100 is configured toproduce editable documents (e.g., MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel,editable PDFs) in addition to read-only documents.

In accordance with one embodiment, in the event that the final digitizeddocument is larger than some predetermined threshold (e.g., a thresholdprovided by the user via user interface 112), the system may provide therecipient with a secure download link rather than the file itself.

A document scanner is provided which includes: a scanner housing; anautomatic document feeder (ADF) configured to scan printed pages, atouch screen configured to: i) receive user input including a scanrequest and an edit request, and ii) display respective thumbnailrepresentations of a scanned page and an edited version of the scannedpage; a network interface; and a processing module disposed within thehousing and configured to execute a scanner application to therebycontrol selected functions of the ADF, the network interface, and thetouch screen. In an embodiment: in response to a scan request, thescanner application causes the ADF to create a digital image of aprinted page and to upload, using the network interface, the digitalimage to a remote image processing platform; and in response to an editrequest, the scanner application transmits an associated editinstruction, using the network interface, to the remote image processingplatform to process the edit instruction.

In an embodiment, upon processing of the edit instruction by the remoteimage processing platform, the scanner receives the edited version ofthe scanned page and displays the corresponding thumbnail image.

In an embodiment, in response to the edit request, the scannerapplication causes, using the network interface, an image processorlocated outside of the housing to process the edit instruction on theuploaded version of the printed page.

In an embodiment, the user input further comprises a desired destinationand a send request; and in response to a send request, the scannerapplication instructs, using the network interface, the remote imageprocessing platform to transmit a finished document to the desireddestination.

In an embodiment, the desired destination comprises at least one of: alocal universal serial bus (USB) device; an email server; and a cloudstorage location.

In an embodiment, the scanner further includes a rechargeable batterypack configured to power the scanner in addition to or in lieu of an ACpower source.

In an embodiment, the network interface comprises at least one of awired connection and a wireless connection.

In an embodiment, the processing module is further configured to executea middleware layer including a plurality of plug-ins that communicateinstructions from the scanner application to the ADF, the touch screen,and the network interface.

In an embodiment, after the digital image is uploaded to the remoteimage processing platform, the scanner receives a second thumbnail imagecorresponding to the uploaded image and displays the second thumbnailimage on the touch screen.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises anapplication programming interface (API) and a cloud computing platform;and in response to a scan request, the scanner application sends anupload request to the API.

In an embodiment, in response to sending the upload request to the API,the scanner application receives a URL and uploads the digital image tothe cloud computing platform.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image to the cloud computingplatform comprises bypassing the API and uploading the image directly tothe cloud computing platform.

In an embodiment, the cloud computing platform comprises a storagecomponent and a processing component; and uploading the digital imagecomprises uploading the digital image to storage component.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction to the remote imageprocessing platform comprises: transmitting the edit instruction fromthe scanner to the API; and instructing the API to coordinate processingof the edit instruction.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises uploading thedigital image directly to the storage component.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises instructing theAPI to create a page model corresponding to the digital image andstoring the page model in the storage component.

A scanning device is also provided which includes: a user interfaceconfigured to receive an edit request from a user, a network interface,and a processor configured to execute a scanner application. In anembodiment, in response to the edit request, the processor transmits anedit instruction, using the network interface, to a remote imageprocessing platform to process the edit instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises anapplication programming interface (API) and a computing platform, andtransmitting the edit instruction comprises transmitting the editinstruction from the processor to the API.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction further comprisesinvoking, by the API, an image processing service.

In an embodiment, after the edit instruction is processed, the scannerreceives a thumbnail from the remote image processing platformcorresponding to the edited image.

An image processing method is performed by a document scanner. Themethod includes: receiving a scan request; in response to the scanrequest, creating a digital image of a printed page; uploading thedigital image to a remote image processing platform; receiving a requestto edit the digital image; and in response to the edit request,transmitting an associated edit instruction to the remote imageprocessing platform to process the edit instruction on the digitalimage.

In an embodiment, at least one of the scan and edit requests arereceived from a user.

In an embodiment, at least one of the scan and edit requests arereceived by a user interface.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a touch panel.

In an embodiment, the method involves: after uploading the digitalimage, receiving a first thumbnail representative of the digital imagefrom the remote image processing platform; and after transmitting theedit instruction, receiving a second thumbnail representative of theedited digital image from the remote image processing platform.

In an embodiment, the method involves: after receiving the firstthumbnail, displaying the first thumbnail on a display screen; and afterreceiving the second thumbnail, replacing the first thumbnail with thesecond thumbnail on the display screen.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises: sending anupload request from the scanner to the remote image processing platform;receiving, from the remote image processing platform, a URL; andtransmitting the digital image and the URL from the scanner to theremote image processing platform.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises an APIand a cloud computing platform; and the method further involves:receiving the URL comprises receiving the URL from the API; andtransmitting the digital image comprises transmitting the digital imagedirectly from the scanner to the remote image processing platform.

In an embodiment, the cloud computing platform comprises a computingcomponent and a cloud storage component, and the method involves:transmitting the digital image comprises transmitting the digital imageto the URL within the cloud storage component.

In an embodiment, transmitting the edit instruction comprisestransmitting the edit instruction to the API.

In an embodiment, the method further involves: receiving a send request;and in response to the send request, instructing the remote imageprocessing platform to transmit a PDF embodying a version of the digitalimage to a predetermined destination.

In an embodiment, the destination comprises one of a USB drive, an emailaddress, and a cloud storage address.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a microphone.

In an embodiment, the user interface comprises a keypad.

In an embodiment, the method further involves transmitting the digitalimage to the remote image processing platform comprises bypassing theAPI.

In an embodiment, transmitting the digital image to the URL comprisesbypassing the API.

In an embodiment, uploading comprises uploading over one of a wired anda wireless network connection.

In an embodiment, uploading the digital image comprises instructing theAPI to create a page model corresponding to the digital image andstoring the page model in the storage component.

A method is also provided for operating a scanning device of the typeincluding a user interface and a network interface. The method includesthe steps of: receiving an edit request from a user at the userinterface; and in response to receiving the edit request, transmittingan edit instruction, using the network interface, to a remote imageprocessing platform to process the edit instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote image processing platform comprises anapplication programming interface (API); and transmitting the editinstruction comprises transmitting the edit instruction from thescanning device to the API.

An application programming interface (API) is provided. The API isconfigured to coordinate interaction between a scanner and a cloudcomputing platform disposed remotely from the scanner, and includes aset of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the APIto: receive an upload request from the scanner; and in response to theupload request, request a URL from the cloud computing platform.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:receive the URL from the cloud computing platform; and transmit the URLto the scanner.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:after receiving the upload request, receive an instruction from thescanner to create a page model corresponding to an uploaded page.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:create a page model; and store the page model in the cloud computingplatform.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:receive an edit request from the scanner; and in response to the editrequest, transmit an editing instruction to the cloud computingplatform.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:coordinate processing of the edit request; and thereafter transmit anedited image to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the set of instructions further causes the API to:receive a send request from the scanner; and in response to the sendrequest, instruct the cloud computing platform to transmit a PDF to auser selected destination.

In an embodiment, the user selected destination comprises at least oneof a USB drive, an email server, and a cloud storage location.

In an embodiment, receiving the upload request from the scannercomprises receiving the upload request from a wired network connection.

In an embodiment, receiving the upload request from the scannercomprises receiving the upload request from a wireless networkconnection.

In an embodiment, coordinating processing of the edit request comprisesinvoking an image processing routine, wherein the image processingroutine is not executed by the scanner.

An application programming interface (API) operated by a processorassociated with a cloud computing platform is provided. The API includescomputer code which, when executed by the server, causes the API to:receive an upload request from a scanner corresponding to a scannedimage; in response to the upload request, retrieve a URL from the cloudcomputing platform; and transmit the URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the computer code further causes the API to: create apage model including a page ID for the scanned image; and return thepage ID to the scanner along with the URL.

In an embodiment, the page model comprises metadata associated with thescanned image.

In an embodiment, the metadata comprises file information and indicia ofthe URL associated with the scanned image.

In an embodiment, the file information comprises a filename, a filetype, and a time stamp.

In an embodiment, the computer code further causes the API to: receive arequest from the scanner to edit the scanned image; process the editrequest; return an edited version of the scanned image to the scanner;and store the edited version of the scanned image in the cloud computingplatform.

In an embodiment, the computer code further causes the API to: invoke anoptical character recognition (OCR) function; extract text from theedited version of the scanned image; and store the extracted text in thepage model.

In an embodiment, the API further includes a document databaseconfigured to store the extracted text in JSON format.

In an embodiment, the page model further comprises at least one of azoom, crop, and rotate parameter associated with the edit request.

A method implemented by a computer program executed by a processor isprovided, where the computer program is associated with a scanner and aremote computing platform. The method includes the steps of: receiving afirst image upload request from the scanner; in response to receivingthe first image upload request, requesting a first URL from the cloudcomputing platform; after requesting the first URL from the cloudcomputing platform, receiving the first URL from the cloud computingplatform; and after receiving the first URL from the cloud computingplatform, transmitting the first URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: uponuploading the first image to the cloud computing platform, receiving anotification from the cloud computing platform that the first image hasbeen uploaded; thereafter receiving a first thumbnail URL from the cloudcomputing platform corresponding to the first image; and transmittingthe first thumbnail URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: in responseto each upload request, creating a respective page model for eachuploaded image; associating a unique page ID with each page model; andtransmitting to the scanner the page ID for each uploaded image.

In an embodiment, each page model comprises metadata associated with acorresponding uploaded image.

In an embodiment, metadata comprises file information and indicia of theURL associated with the uploaded image.

In an embodiment, the file information comprises a filename, a filetype, and a time stamp.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of updating thepage model to include indicia of the first thumbnail URL

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: afterreceiving the notification that the first image has been uploaded,invoking an optical character recognition (OCR) module to extract textfrom the uploaded image; and receiving a file containing the extractedtext from the OCR module.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of updating thepage model to include the extracted text.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of receiving anedit instruction and the first URL from the scanner and, in response toreceiving the edit instruction: retrieving the uploaded image from thecloud computing platform using the first URL; processing the editinstruction on the uploaded image to yield an edited image; requesting asecond URL from the cloud computing platform for the edited image; andtransmitting the second URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: receiving asecond thumbnail URL for the edited image from the cloud computingplatform; instructing the cloud computing platform to store the editedimage at the second thumbnail URL location; and transmitting the secondthumbnail URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: receiving aseries of edit instructions from the scanner and for each editinstruction: retrieving the image to be edited from the cloud computingplatform; processing the edit instruction on the retrieved image toyield an subsequently edited image; requesting a successive URLs fromthe cloud computing platform for each subsequently edited image; andtransmitting each successive URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of, for eachedit instruction: receiving successive thumbnail URLs from the cloudcomputing platform; instructing the cloud computing platform to storesuccessive processed images at a respective successive thumbnail URLlocation; and transmitting each successive thumbnail URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of, for eachsuccessive processed image, updating the page model to include a path tothe corresponding successive thumbnail URL.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: receiving asend request from the scanner; and, in response to the send request,instructing the cloud computing platform to send a completed PDF to auser selected destination.

In an embodiment, the user selected destination comprises at least oneof a USB drive, an email server, and a cloud storage location.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step of conductingcommunication between the processor and the scanner over one of awireless and a wired network connection.

A method implemented by a computer program executed by a processorassociated with a cloud computing platform is also provided. The methodincludes: receiving a request from a scanner to upload a page image; inresponse to the upload request, retrieving a URL from the cloudcomputing platform; creating a page model including a page ID for theuploaded image; and transmitting the page ID and the URL to the scanner.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: receiving arequest from the scanner to edit the uploaded image; processing the editrequest; returning an edited version of the uploaded image to thescanner; and storing the edited version in the cloud computing platform.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of: invoking anoptical character recognition (OCR) function; extracting text from theedited version of the uploaded image; and writing the extracted text toa document database configured to store the extracted text in JSONformat

A document scanning system is provided which includes: a remotecomputing platform including a cloud computing application and a cloudstorage system; and a scanner communicatively coupled over a network tothe remote computing platform. The scanner is configured to: scan a setof documents; generate a set of digital image files corresponding to theset of documents; store the set of digital image files locally; andupload the set of digital image files directly to the cloud storagesystem. The system further includes an application programming interface(API) configured to coordinate interaction between the scanner and theremote computing platform wherein, upon receiving an upload requestinitiated by the scanner, the cloud computing application is configuredto provide storage location information for the digital image files tothe API.

In an embodiment, the image processing operations comprise user selectedimage processing parameters.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to retrieve a set of URLs fromthe remote computing platform and transmit the set of URLs to thescanner.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to bypass the APIand upload the set of digital image files directly to the cloud storagesystem.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to upload the set of digitalimage files to predetermined locations within the cloud storage systemin accordance with the respective URLs.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to receive instructions toedit the digital image files from a user, and to thereafter transmit theediting instructions to the API.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to retrieve the digital imagefiles from the portable document format documents and to apply imageprocessing operations to the set of digital image files in accordancewith the editing instructions.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to store the image processeddigital image files in the cloud storage system.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to: create a respective pagemodel for each digital image file; associate a unique page ID with eachpage model; and transmit a unique page ID to the scanner for eachdigital image file.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to iteratively populate eachpage model with corresponding metadata pertaining to the associateddigital image file.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to invoke an optical characterrecognition (OCR) function to extract text from each image processeddigital image file, and to store the extracted text in the page modelassociated with each digital image file.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to generate portable documentformat (PDF) documents corresponding to the processed image files whenall editing requests have been executed.

In an embodiment, generating a PDF comprises layering extracted textonto an image processed image file in a manner which permits subsequentsearching for text strings.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to receive a send requestfrom a user, and to thereafter transmit the send request to the API.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to retrieve a PDF document fromthe cloud storage system in response to receiving the send request, andto coordinate sending the PDF document to a user-selected destination.

In an embodiment, the user selected destination comprises at least oneof a USB drive, an email server, and a cloud storage location.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to communicate with the APIover one of a wireless and a wired network connection.

A remote document management system is provided which includes: ascanner having a user interface, a network interface, and an opticalinterface for generating a digital image file from a printed document; acloud based platform disposed remotely from the scanner, the platformhaving a computing component and a storage component; and an applicationprogramming interface (API) configured to facilitate interaction betweenthe scanner and the platform. In an embodiment, the scanner isconfigured to receive an editing command at the user interface and totransmit a corresponding editing instruction to the API using thenetwork interface, and the API is configured to retrieve the digitalimage file from a first location within the storage component; executethe editing instruction on the retrieved digital image file; and storethe edited digital image file in a second location within the storagecomponent.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to receive a send commandincluding a destination input by a user and to transmit a correspondingsend instruction to the API; and the API is configured to retrieve a PDFembodying the edited digital image file from the storage component andto send the PDF to the destination.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to invoke an optical characterrecognition (OCR) function to extract text from the edited digital imagefile, and store the extracted text in the PDF.

A scanner is configured to communicate over a network with a remotedocument management platform and an associated application programminginterface (API). In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to: scan aprinted document; generate a digital image file corresponding to theprinted document; store the digital image file locally; send an uploadrequest to the API; receive a URL from the API in response to the uploadrequest; and upload the digital image file directly to a predeterminedlocation within the platform defined by the URL.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receiveconfirmation from the API when the digital image file is uploaded, anddisplay a first thumbnail corresponding to the uploaded digital imagefile.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive a pagemodel ID corresponding to the uploaded digital image file from the API.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive metadatacorresponding to the uploaded digital image file from the API.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive a requestfrom a user to edit the digital image file, and transmit a correspondingedit instruction to the API along with the URL.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive a secondURL from the API identifying the location within the platform at whichan edited version of the digital image file is stored.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to display a secondthumbnail corresponding to the edited version of the digital image file.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to prompt a user to:scan additional printed documents; upload additional digital imagefiles; and request additional edits.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive from theAPI: respective thumbnail URLs for each additional uploaded digitalimage file; and respective thumbnail URLs for each additional editedversion of a digital image file.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: displayrespective thumbnails for each additional uploaded digital image file;and display respective thumbnails for each additional edited version ofa digital image file.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: receive a sendrequest input by a user; and, in response to the send request, instructthe API to send a completed PDF to a user selected destination.

In an embodiment, the user selected destination comprises at least oneof a USB drive, an email server, and a cloud storage location.

In an embodiment, the scanner further includes an automatic documentfeeder (ADF) configured to scan printed documents.

In an embodiment, the scanner further includes: a user interfaceconfigured to receive an upload request, an edit request, and a sendrequest; and a display screen configured to display the thumbnails.

In an embodiment, the scanner further includes a network interfaceconfigured to support wired and wireless communication with the platformand the API.

In an embodiment, the scanner further includes a processor configured toexecute a middleware layer including a plurality of plug-ins configuredto operate the ADF, the user interface, and the network interface.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to bypass the APIand upload image data files directly to the platform using the URLs.

A method of operating a scanner of the type configured to communicateover a network with a remote document management platform and anassociated application programming interface (API) is provided. Themethod includes: scanning a printed document; generating a digital imagefile corresponding to the printed document; storing the digital imagefile locally; sending an upload request to the API; receiving a URL fromthe API in response to the upload request; and uploading the digitalimage file directly to the location within the platform specified by theURL.

In an embodiment, the method further includes receiving, from the API, anew URL for each additional upload request and each additional editedversion of a digital image file.

In an embodiment, the method further includes receiving, from the API, anew thumbnail URL for each additional edited version of a digital imagefile.

A document scanner is provided which includes a cloud computing platformhaving a cloud application programming interface (API) and a cloudstorage system, and a scanning device communicatively coupled over anetwork to the API and the cloud storage system. The scanning device isconfigured to: accept paper documents; generate a digital image filecorresponding to each document; store the digital image files; uploadthe digital image files directly to the cloud storage system; receive,via a user interface module coupled to the scanning device, a firstdocument editing command from a user, wherein the first document editingcommand is selected by the user from a list of commands including: pagecrop, page rotation, page zoom, remove pages, combine pages, and reorderpages; and send, to the cloud API, a first request to edit a firstdigital image file in accordance with a document editing command.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive an editedversion of the first digital image from the API.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive a firstthumbnail URL from the API representing the location within the cloudstorage system at which a first thumbnail of the edited version of thefirst digital image is stored.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to display the firstthumbnail of the edited version of the first digital image.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: receive a seconddocument editing command from a user; and send, to the API, a secondrequest to edit a second digital image file.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive an editedversion of the second digital image from the API.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive a secondthumbnail URL from the API representing the location within the cloudstorage system at which a second thumbnail of the edited version of thesecond digital image is stored.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to display thesecond thumbnail of the edited version of the second digital image.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: prompt the userrequest additional edits to a previously edited digital image; andprompt the user request a first edit to a previously unedited digitalimage.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: receive a newthumbnail URL from the API for each additional edit to a previouslyedited digital image; and receive a new thumbnail URL from the API foreach new edit to a previously unedited digital image.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to display thethumbnail corresponding to the most current version of each digitalimage file.

In an embodiment, displaying the most current thumbnail comprisesreplacing the previously displayed thumbnail with a more recentthumbnail for each digital image file.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to prompt the userto undo an edit.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to, in response to auser request to undo an edit, replace the currently displayed thumbnailwith a previously displayed thumbnail for a particular digital imagefile.

In an embodiment, replacing a currently displayed thumbnail with apreviously displayed thumbnail comprises transmitting a previousthumbnail URL to the API and, in response, receiving and displaying thethumbnail image stored at the location defined by the previous thumbnailURL.

A system is provided for editing scanned documents using an imageprocessing platform disposed remotely from the scanner. The systemincludes: a scanner having a user interface and an optical interface forgenerating a digital image file from a printed document; an imageprocessing platform disposed remotely from the scanner; and anapplication programming interface (API) disposed at the platform andconfigured to facilitate interaction between the scanner and theplatform. In an embodiment: the scanner is configured to receive anediting command at the user interface and to transmit a correspondingediting instruction to the API; and the API is configured to retrievethe digital image file from a first URL within the platform; process theediting instruction; and store the edited digital image file at a secondURL within the platform.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to: receive the edit commandat a user interface associated with the scanner; and transmit acorresponding edit instruction to the API along with the first URL.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to receive thesecond URL from the API identifying the location within the platform atwhich an edited version of the digital image file is stored.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to retrieve a secondthumbnail from the second thumbnail URL.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to display thesecond thumbnail.

A document scanning system is provided which includes a cloud computingplatform, a scanning device communicatively coupled over a network tothe cloud computing platform, and an application programming interface(API) configured to facilitate interaction between the scanner and theplatform. In an embodiment, the scanning device is configured to: scan aprinted document; generate a digital image file corresponding to theprinted document; create an interim thumbnail representative of thescanned document; and display the interim thumbnail.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to upload the digital imagefile directly to the cloud storage system.

In an embodiment, upon uploading of the digital image file the cloudcomputing platform is configured to generate a first thumbnailrepresentative of the uploaded digital image file and sends the firstthumbnail to the scanning device.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to replace the interimthumbnail with the first thumbnail.

In an embodiment, the scanner comprises a touch screen display, andreplacing the interim thumbnail with the first thumbnail comprisessubstituting the first thumbnail for the interim thumbnail on the touchscreen display.

In an embodiment, the touch screen display is configured to receive auser request to edit the digital image file and to transmit acorresponding edit instruction to the API, and the API is configured toprocess the edit instruction and return a second thumbnail to thescanner corresponding to the edited image.

In an embodiment, upon receipt of the second thumbnail, the canner isconfigured to replace the first thumbnail with the second thumbnail onthe touch screen display.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: prompt the userto scan additional documents and upload additional corresponding imagedata files; prompt the user to request additional editing of previouslyedited and previously unedited image data files; and for each additionaledited image data file, display the then current thumbnail.

In an embodiment, displaying the then current thumbnail comprisesreceiving, by the scanner from the API, a new thumbnail URL for eachedited image.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: prompt the userto undo an edit; and in response to a user request to undo an edit,replace the currently displayed thumbnail with a previously displayedthumbnail.

In an embodiment, replacing a currently displayed thumbnail with apreviously displayed thumbnail comprises: transmitting a previousthumbnail URL to the API by the scanner; and receiving and displaying,by the scanner, the thumbnail image stored at the location defined bythe previous thumbnail URL.

In an embodiment, the API is further configured to, upon completion ofthe upload, generate a page model for the digital image file.

In an embodiment, the API is further configured to, upon completion ofthe upload, generate a request to perform optical character recognition(OCR) to extract test from the digital image file.

In an embodiment, the API is configured populate the page model with theextracted text.

In an embodiment, the API is configured populate the page model with apath to each thumbnail URL.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to generate portable documentformat (PDF) documents corresponding to the processed image files uponcompletion of all editing requests.

In an embodiment, generating the PDF comprises layering the extractedtext into the PDF in a searchable format.

In an embodiment, the API is configured to store the extracted text inJSON string format in a document file.

A system for editing scanned documents while displaying currentthumbnails to the user is provided. The system includes: a cloudcomputing platform, a scanning device communicatively coupled over anetwork to the cloud computing platform, and an application programminginterface (API) configured to facilitate interaction between the scannerand the platform. In an embodiment, the scanning device is configuredto: scan a printed document; generate a digital image file correspondingto the printed document; create an interim thumbnail representative ofthe scanned document; and display the interim thumbnail. In anembodiment: upon uploading of the digital image file the API isconfigured to invoke a process for generating a first thumbnailrepresentative of the uploaded digital image file and send the firstthumbnail to the scanning device; and the scanning device is configuredto replace the interim thumbnail with the first thumbnail.

In an embodiment, the scanner is further configured to: prompt the userto scan additional documents and upload additional corresponding imagedata files; prompt the user to request additional editing of previouslyedited and previously unedited image data files; and for each additionaledited image data file, display the then current thumbnail.

A document scanning device is provided which includes: a processingmodule and an image sensor communicatively coupled to the processingmodule. In an embodiment, the image sensor and processing modulecooperate to: optically scan a set of printed documents; determine aduplex/simplex attribute for each document; generate a digital imagefile for each document; assemble a data file comprising the digitalimage files and their respective simplex/duplex attributes; and uploadthe data file directly to a remote image processing platformcommunicatively coupled to the processing module over a network.

In an embodiment, the device is further configured to instruct theplatform to: process the data file into a PDF; and configure the PDFbased on the simplex/duplex attributes.

In an embodiment, one component of the simplex/duplex attribute is basedon whether a document has printed matter on one side or on both sides.

In an embodiment, a document having printed matter on only one side isassigned a simplex/duplex attribute corresponding to simplex.

In an embodiment, a document having printed matter on both sides isassigned a simplex/duplex attribute corresponding to duplex.

In an embodiment, determining a duplex/simplex attribute comprises:optically scanning a first side of a document to determine if the firstside includes printed matter; and optically scanning a second side ofthe document to determine if the second side includes printed matter.

In an embodiment, printed matter includes textual elements.

In an embodiment, printed matter includes non-textual elements.

In an embodiment, printed matter includes at least one of alphanumericcharacters; graphical elements; symbols; designs; watermarks; texture;artwork; colors; hues; color gradients; thematic gradients; shadowing;absolute contrasts; contrasts exceeding a static threshold; contrastsexceeding a dynamic threshold; patterns; holograms; illusions; geometricforms; irregular forms; subliminal messaging; non-white space; absoluteheterogeneity; heterogeneity exceeding a static threshold; heterogeneityexceeding a dynamic threshold; quantifiable variances in a visualattribute within a single document; and quantifiable variances in avisual attribute from one document to another.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto: generate a single sided PDF for an image file determined to exhibita simplex attribute; and generate a double sided PDF for an image filedetermined to exhibit a duplex attribute.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto configure the PDF such that substantially all pages in the PDF shallhave printed matter on both sides, if at least a predetermined thresholdpercentage of the documents in the data file exhibit a duplex attribute.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto configure the PDF such that: documents in the data file which exhibita duplex attribute are to be represented in the PDF as duplex; anddocuments in the data file which exhibit a simplex attribute manifestare to be represented in the PDF as simplex.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto configure the PDF such that substantially all pages in the PDF shallhave printed matter on both sides, even if substantially none of thedocuments in the data file exhibit a duplex attribute.

In an embodiment, the scanner is configured to: receive a send requestfrom a user; in response to the send request, instruct the platform toassemble a PDF in accordance with the simplex/duplex attributescontained in the data file; and transmit the resulting PDF to a userselected destination.

A method of rendering a PDF derived from a plurality of printeddocuments is provided. The method includes the steps of: opticallyscanning each of the plurality of printed documents; determining aduplex/simplex attribute for each scanned document; generating a digitalimage file for each scanned document; assembling a data file comprisingthe digital image files and their respective simplex/duplex attributes;uploading the data file to a remote image processing platform; andinstructing the platform to configure the PDF based on thesimplex/duplex attributes.

In an embodiment, determining comprises: optically scanning a first sideof a document to determine if the first side exhibits printed matter;and optically scanning a second side of the document to determine if thesecond side exhibits printed matter.

In an embodiment, determining comprises: assigning a simplex/duplexattribute value of “simplex” to digital image files derived from adocument which exhibits printed matter on only one side; and assigning asimplex/duplex attribute value of “duplex” to digital image filesderived from a document which exhibits printed matter on both sides.

In an embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a send requestfrom a user; in response to the send request, instructing the platformto assemble a PDF in accordance with the simplex/duplex attributescontained in the data file; and instructing the platform transmit theresulting PDF to a user selected destination.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto configure the PDF such that substantially all pages in the PDF shallhave printed matter on both sides, even if substantially none of thedocuments in the data file exhibit a duplex attribute.

In an embodiment, the processor is configured to instruct the platformto configure the PDF such that: documents in the data file which exhibita duplex attribute are to be represented in the PDF as duplex; anddocuments in the data file which exhibit a simplex attribute manifestare to be represented in the PDF as simplex.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in termsof functional and/or logical block components and various processingsteps. It should be appreciated that such block components may berealized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware componentsconfigured to perform the specified functions. For example, anembodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integratedcircuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodimentsof the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with anynumber of systems, and that the systems described herein are merelyexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the connectinglines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended torepresent example functional relationships and/or physical couplingsbetween the various elements. It should be noted that many alternativeor additional functional relationships or physical connections may bepresent in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “module” or “controller” refer to anyhardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processinglogic, and/or processor device, individually or in any combination,including without limitation: application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), field-programmable gate-arrays (FPGAs), dedicated neuralnetwork devices (e.g., Google Tensor Processing Units), electroniccircuits, processors (shared, dedicated, or group) configured to executeone or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logiccircuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the describedfunctionality.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations, nor is it intended to beconstrued as a model that must be literally duplicated.

While the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled inthe art with a convenient road map for implementing various embodimentsof the invention, it should be appreciated that the particularembodiments described above are only examples, and are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in anyway. To the contrary, various changes may be made in the function andarrangement of elements described without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An image processing method performed by a document scanner, the method comprising: receiving a scan request; in response to the scan request, creating a digital image of a printed page; uploading the digital image to a remote image processing platform; receiving a request to edit the digital image; in response to the edit request, transmitting an associated edit instruction to the remote image processing platform to process the edit instruction on the digital image; wherein uploading the digital image comprises: sending an upload request from the scanner to the remote image processing platform; receiving, from the remote image processing platform, a URL; and transmitting the digital image from the scanner to the remote image processing platform to be stored at a location associated with the URL.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the scan and edit requests are received from a user.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the scan and edit requests are received by a user interface.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a touch panel.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after uploading the digital image, receiving a first thumbnail representative of the digital image from the remote image processing platform; and after transmitting the edit instruction, receiving a second thumbnail representative of the edited digital image from the remote image processing platform.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: after receiving the first thumbnail, displaying the first thumbnail on a display screen; and after receiving the second thumbnail, replacing the first thumbnail with the second thumbnail on the display screen.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the remote image processing platform comprises an API and a cloud computing platform; receiving the URL comprises receiving the URL from the API; and transmitting the digital image comprises transmitting the digital image directly from the scanner to the remote image processing platform.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the cloud computing platform comprises a computing component and a cloud storage component; and transmitting the digital image comprises transmitting the digital image to the URL within the cloud storage component.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the edit instruction comprises transmitting the edit instruction to the API.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a send request; and in response to the send request, instructing the remote image processing platform to transmit a PDF embodying a version of the digital image to a predetermined destination.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the destination comprises one of a USB drive, an email address, and a cloud storage address.
 12. The method of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a microphone.
 13. The method of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a keypad.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the digital image to the remote image processing platform comprises bypassing the API.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the digital image to the URL comprises bypassing the API.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein uploading comprises uploading over one of a wired and a wireless network connection.
 17. The method of claim 8, wherein uploading the digital image comprises instructing the API to create a page model corresponding to the digital image and storing the page model in the storage component.
 18. A method of operating a scanning device of the type including a user interface and a network interface, the method comprising the steps of: uploading a digital image, produced by the scanning device, to a remote image processing platform; receiving an edit request from a user at the user interface; and in response to receiving the edit request, transmitting an edit instruction, using the network interface, to the remote image processing platform to process the edit instruction; wherein uploading the digital image comprises sending an upload request from the scanner to the remote image processing platform; receiving, from the remote image processing platform, a URL; and transmitting the digital image from the scanner to the remote image processing platform to be stored at a location associated with the URL.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein: the remote image processing platform comprises an application programming interface (API); and transmitting the edit instruction comprises transmitting the edit instruction from the scanning device to the API. 